The force has officially awoken! As of yesterday, the as-yet-untitled Star Wars: Episode VIII has begun production in Pinewood studios in London and to celebrate, the cast and crew have released this teaser trailer, along with announcing the film's new cast members:

This latest update is whipping Star Wars fans into a frenzy for three reasons:

1. The new film will see the return all the original characters we love (minus that one shocking loss in Star Wars: Episode VII) with Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) alongside newer recruits Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), Daisy Ridley (Rey) and John Boyega (Finn). Rumours sprung up last month suggesting that the script is being rewritten to focus more on the main characters from The Force Awakens.

2. Some smaller (but just as popular) characters were also confimed, such as Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones), Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave) and Domhnall Gleeson (About Time, The Revenant) who play Captain Phasma, Maz Kanata and General Hux respectively. WARNING: Superfan update ahead... While Gleeson's return would suggest that General Hux made it off the exploding Starkiller Base, we hope this also means that we’ll get to know their character’s backgrounds a bit better in the new film. Who doesn't want to know more about Maz Kanata? Like where did she get those glasses?

3. Also announced were three new additions to the ever-burgeoning cast list, in the form of Benicio Del Toro (Guardians of the Galaxy, Snatch), Laura Dern (Jurassic Park) and Kelly Marie Tran. It’s been rumoured Benicio will play a baddie, with the star himself saying in a recent interview: “You know, I’m not supposed to say, but that’s what’s out there, so I’m not gonna try and fight it.” And who doesn't have fond memories of Laura Dern in the first Jurassic Park? Alongside Rey and Leia, Star Wars: Episode VIII is shaping up to have a seriously kick-ass female squad. Lastly, we're thrilled that another relative unknown, Kelly Marie Tran, is being plucked from obscurity into almost certain stardom. We can't wait to see what she brings to the galaxy.

While we still have a long wait to go until the film hits a screen near us (Disney recently broke our hearts when they pushed the opening back until December 2017), we couldn't be more excited for the new film. In the meantime, you can satisfy all your Star Wars cravings by making Jedi Master Yoda's Rootleaf Stew, or heading to Asda for Star Wars toys, books and games.